As we approach the end of the fall semester, many of us begin to question our place in college — whether you’re a first-time freshman adapting to the unspoken rules of campus life, a senior closing out your final fall term or somewhere in between simply rolling with the flow. It’s easy to find ourselves slipping into cycles of self-destruction in the name of success. As it is any article’s job; to provide readers with the necessary information, the following reading provides you with the necessary information and tips to finish a college semester successfully.
- Adjusting Your Sleep Schedule
The idea of staying up for 12 hours to study for one exam may feel logical — until it’s 9:30 a.m. and your brain can’t remember the difference between “compare” and “contrast.” (Yes, this is possible — and likely already has happened.) Prioritizing sleep allows your brain the time it needs to process the information you’ve studied. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), college students should aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
- Prioritize Your Nutrition
Maintaining a nutritional routine in college is like being asked to ride a bike with a flat tire — not impossible, but definitely inefficient. Nutrition is a major factor in academic success. Murray State University provides a variety of resources to support students. Winslow Dining Hall, Fast Track and the Racers Helping Racers Food Pantry are just a few of the options Murray offers to ensure students have access to nutrition throughout the semester.
- Utilizing Your Resources
Although studying may seem like a dreadful task for the few, it is an important, if not necessary technique to enhance comprehension. Murray offers a range of resources for students providing them with the essential resources for an excellent semester. From the Waterfield Library, attendees are guaranteed access to a broad range of scholarly text and academic resources such as the Racer Writing Center. Students looking to improve writing skills are provided with a second hand when it comes to the rigorous world of writing and are ensured improvement through mentorship. Students are also welcomed to light workout on the exercise bikes located in the collaborative zone. Whether you’re scholar or athlete or both, the Waterfield Library provides the necessary tools for an efficient study session.
- Maintaining a Support System
College can be isolating. Many students struggle quietly, finding it difficult to communicate their needs and therefore pulling away from their surroundings, but community is essential for growth and success. Murray State offers numerous support systems: professors’ office hours, Student Disability Services (SDS) for accommodations and tutoring options. President of Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society, Zoe Galvin, encourages students to attend tutoring sessions held Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Jesse L. Jones Clock Tower.
- Embracing Your Failures
As we enter another intense season of studying, one of the most important things we can do is practice compassion — toward others, yes, but especially toward ourselves. It’s easy to tell a friend that “there’s always a next time” after a failed exam, but much harder to extend that same grace inward. Remember that failure is part of a meaningful life. As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Perfection may be impressive, but failure adds depth, wisdom and direction.
Whatever this semester has looked like for you, don’t let it define your present — let it inform your future, and remember that help is accessible in every direction of life. As you apply these five laws to your daily routine, you’ll begin to realize that success isn’t measured by perfect scores, but by the ability to perfect yourself through challenges, support and encouragement.